The Awkward Squad
A Readers' Group by Michael Campling
Hello
"If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison
Thanks to John for sending that quote to me. There are other versions of the quote, but this seems to be the original. I can relate to the sentiment, and I can't help thinking about the huge numbers of people out there who yearn to write a book but feel the task is beyond them.
Do you feel that way? If so, I encourage you to have a go. Start with a short story, the shorter the better, and bash some words together. Sure, it might not be great, but if you never write it, then it definitely can't be read.
Writing is like baking a cake. It can be fun, playful, creative, therapeutic and very satisfying, whether the finished product is to be shared or for personal consumption. It can also be slow, frustrating, maddening and upsetting when it doesn't work out. We've all had a saggy middle, and we've probably thrown in the wrong ingredients by accident. We might even have got our fingers burned.
But sill, cake! Stories! Neither of these things needs to be perfect to be great.
In case you're wondering, a saggy middle is what writers sometimes call the point halfway through writing a project when the story seems to lose its way. It can feel as though there's too much padding, and it's a sign that the prose needs work.
I wonder if I've inspired you to write. Or maybe I've just made you hungry for cake. Oh dear, there goes that New Year's resolution.
On with the newsletter.
There are some featured photos below, and a couple of bits of book news, but first, here are some words of thanks:
Cheers!
A huge thank you to these kind people who have sent me a mug of tea. I'm raising a cup of Earl Grey in honour of these recent supporters:
Terri, Barbara, Elizabeth
plus regular supporter: Lara.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
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Featured Photos
We’ve had some lovely dry days recently, and a wintry walk makes a nice change after the Christmas festivities. Pictured below is the Trenchford reservoir, a favourite walk.
The view from my writing room, with wintry sunshine on the trees and mist hanging in the valley.
The rolling hills of Devon, this picture taken on one of my runs.
The above are taken from much bigger collections on my website, and the images there are larger, so they're worth a look.
View more photos on my website
Book News
A Must-Have Murder
The new Devonshire Mystery, A Must-Have Murder, is currently available to buy on all good retailers and can be borrowed in libraries.
People seem to have been enjoying it so far, so I hope this epic mystery for Dan and Alan, Spiller and Kulkarni, and the other characters will give you something to get your teeth into.
Find it online at: books2read.com/amusthavemurder
Kobo - Thriller and Suspense
Kobo are having a buy-one-get-one-free sale on thrillers and stories of suspense. Running throughout January 2024 in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the sale includes the Devonshire Mystery, Murder Between the Tides. My books are also in the Kobo+ subscription programme.
Here's a link that should take you to the Kobo store in your country:
books2read.com/u/ml2KG9?store=kobo&format=EBOOK
What's Next?
The new police procedural novel starring a young DC Spiller as he joins CID in 1992 is rolling along nicely. I'm working through the second draft, and it's shaping up to be a decent story. If you saw the last newsletter, you'll know that I completed the bulk of the first draft during November as a NaNoWriMo project. That was great, but for me, a fast first draft tends to need more work to refine.
There's no title yet, but that will come soon - I hope. Before long I'll be asking the Street Team members if any of them would like to be beta readers, and then I'll be redrafting the book and getting it edited. Who knows? This could be a whole new venture. But fans of Dan and Alan shouldn't be too worried - I'm sure they're waiting in the wings.
I'm still running, and I'm making 2024 the year I attempt a marathon. This is slightly terrifying, but I'll put in the work and have a go, and we'll see how what happens. That's all we can do.
And that have-a-go attitude takes us back neatly to the idea of setting out to write stories. I put it off for decades, and I remember how scary it was to begin, but I'm very glad I persisted.
If it's your dream to write, maybe this could be the year to do it, but if you'd rather leave all that typing to others, that's fine too. The world needs readers.
And while you're settling down with a good book, you could treat yourself to a little slice of cake.
Wishing you all the best for 2024.
Until next time, happy reading and take care.
Mikey C
PS: Want More or to Get in Touch?
To contact me or see more content, please visit my website and comment there, or join our Facebook group. Either way you'll get a much faster response than email.
My website: michaelcampling.com
The Awkward Squad group: facebook.com/groups/awkwardsquad
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